The case dates back to April, 1982 when Sawant (55) along with one Ashok Babu Jadhav was tried under IPC sections 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation) rw 34 (common intention).

Both the accused were shown as not “traceable” till June, 2016 when police filed death report of Jadhav.

According to prosecution, Nalini Deshmukh, a resident of Lohar Galli here, had on April 29, 1982 filed a complaint with Thane Nagar Police Station, stating that her elder son Suresh while on the way to work saw Sawant and Jadhav attacking a man with knife and intervened.

In order to avenge Deshmukh’s act, the duo armed with glass bottles, went to the former’s house and threatened him of dire consequences.

The Magistrate, in his order observed that the case was kept pending till police filed the death report of Jadhav recently and the case against Sawant was taken up.

In the intervening period, as the complainant and the investigating officer were relocated, their evidence could not not be recorded. Another witness Ravindra Waghmare died and other witnesses were not traceable. Only one witness, Gangaram Pathar could be examined

The court, while acquitting Sawant, said evidence against him had been either destroyed or was not available and the deposition by the available witness is not useful to prove the charges against the accused. Hence, he was acquitted of all charges.